Dividing the broiler house into two sections from the very start of the production cycle is a simple yet effective method to reduce stress during thinning and improve overall bird welfare. Temporary or adjustable internal barriers allow birds destined for thinning to be separated from those that will remain until final catching. This enables targeted feeding and control of fasting for the birds to be thinned, while maintaining continuous access to feed and water for the remaining birds, in line with welfare recommendations (5–8 h fasting, water available until catching).

On-farm examples show that longitudinal separation of males and females in the house can enhance growth: males can gain up to 100 g more thanks to this compartmentalisation, and competition at the feeders is reduced, improving batch uniformity. After females are removed, males quickly redistribute across the full width of the house, optimising space use and ‘microclimate’ management. Implementation requires independent feed and water lines in each section, staff training, and regular monitoring. Benefits include reduced handling stress, lower feeder competition, improved welfare scores according to voluntary welfare label standards such as the Étiquette Bien‑Être Animal (complying with European animal welfare requirements), and potential productivity gains. Although adoption remains limited, this strategy represents a practical and welfare-friendly approach for high stocking-density broiler farming.